HOLY SPIRIT

Catechism  683-747, 1830-1832

 

CPPoole,Jr., June  7, 2000, revised July 26, 2005

 

Outline

 

1.  Persons of the Trinity

2.  Meaning of Spirit and Images of the Holy Spirit 

3.  Scripture Support

4.  Roles in the Life of the Church

5.  Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit

6.  Charisms

 

1. Persons of the Trinity

 

Father, Son and  Holy Spirit           

Creator, Redeemer, Sanctifier.  

Three persons in one God

       all having the same divine nature .

All three persons are co-eternal

        and co-equal to each other

Some explain the Holy Spirit as being

       the eternal, abiding love

       between the Father and the Son

 

2. Meaning of Spirit and Images of the holy Spirit

 

The word spirit is used in several ways:

       life force of human beings

       essential aspect of something 

              as in "the spirit of Christmas"

       nonmaterial aspect of something

Scriptural images of the Holy Spirit: 

       a dove, tongues of fire, water, 

       a wind or breath, spirit of truth,       

       Paraclete or comforter

 

3. Scripture Support. 

 

The Holy Spirit is mentioned many times in the

       New Testament, especially in the Acts

       of the Apostles, and in John's gospel

John the Baptizer's mother Elizabeth                  

       was filled with the Holy Spirit Lk 1:42

Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit Lk 1:34

He  descended at Jesus' baptism Mt 3:16

The Spirit led Jesus to temptation in the desert

Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit, the

Paraclete, after his Ascension Acts 1:8

The apostles received the Holy Spirit            

       and could forgive sins, Jn 20:22-23

The Holy Spirit came to the disciples in the

       upper room, and they spoke in tongues

        Jn 14: 15-17, 16:4-15, Acts. 2: 1-4. 

 

4. Roles in the Life of the Church

 

The Holy Spirit sanctifies us

We begin prayer with: In the name of the Father,

       the Son, and the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is invoked several times during Mass  

       (e.g. at the  epiclesis - "accept this offering")

The Holy Spirit comes to us in baptism,

       and especially in confirmation

The Holy Spirit guides and sanctifies the Church

 

5. Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit

 

Gifts of the Holy Spirit:  wisdom, understanding,

       right judgment, courage, knowledge, reverence,

       wonder and awe (fear of the Lord)

Fruits of the Holy Spirit:

       Paul in Gal 5:22-23 lists 9, the Church added 3.   

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,

self control, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty,    constancy, chastity

 

6. Charisms

 

A Charism is a grace of the Holy Spirit

These graces benefit the Church CCC#799:

Some are ordinary and humble, others are

       extraordinary such as the gifts of healing, 

       and speaking in tongues (glossolalia)   

Charismatic movement has special devotion to the Holy

       Spirit, and emphasizes the special power of prayer

 

CPPoole,Jr., June  7, 2000, revised July 26, 2005

 

 

Go to Top